Billing Engine for Wireless Data Utilization Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack the ability to track data utilization of devices when they are connected to a mobile provider network via a wireless access point, leading to incomplete data usage monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a second short-range transceiver in wireless communication devices to enable direct communication between devices, forming a short-range network independent of the traditional wireless communication network, allowing for data utilization tracking even when connected via a wireless access point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless communication devices communicate via wireless access points, then data exchange capability is improved, but data utilization tracking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a billing engine as an intermediary component that mediates between the wireless access point and the network management system. This billing engine captures data utilization information from devices connected via wireless access points and forwards it to the network management system, enabling tracking without disrupting the data exchange functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where data utilization information is continuously collected from wireless devices and fed back to the network management system through the billing engine. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and tracking of data usage patterns while maintaining normal communication operations.
2Device complexity
If traditional wireless communication network infrastructure is used, then network management simplicity is improved, but data utilization tracking completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network management functionality by separating the data utilization tracking function into a distinct billing engine component. This segmentation allows the traditional wireless communication infrastructure to remain simple while adding specialized tracking capability through the independent billing engine that processes data from multiple sources including wireless access points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If direct communication between wireless devices is enabled, then network independence is improved, but network management control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The billing engine is designed as a universal component that can handle data utilization tracking for multiple types of network connections simultaneously, including both direct device-to-device communication and traditional access point-based communication. This multi-functionality ensures network management control is maintained across diverse communication modes without compromising the independence of individual communication paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device associated with a mobile operator network transmits an authentication request for network access via a wireless access point (AP) using a network transceiver or a transceiver other than the cellular network transceiver. Device authentication can occur directly with the mobile operator network or via a proxy server. Communications with the authentication server my use VLAN/VRF or NFV depending on the availability of the network communications technology. Upon authentication, the requesting device may access a wide area network in a data off-load operational mode and the data flow to and from the device via the AP is monitored and reported to mobile operator network associated with the requesting device. The wireless communication device can communicate with any of a plurality of APs distributed in a venue during the data off-load operational mode.